EMC honours manufacturers at awards ceremony

Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)’s Awards of Excellence were presented on the evening of Oct. 9 at their national conference, Advantage Through Excellence – Future of Manufacturing.

Advantage Through Excellence was held Oct. 8-10 in Vaughan, Ont., and brought together manufacturers from across Canada.

The Awards of Excellence ceremony capped off a productive day of networking and learning. EMC says the awards are intended to recognize manufacturers who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in one or more of the core conference streams and topics or in EMC member initiatives, impacting their organization, their workforce, the surrounding community and/or the state of manufacturing in Canada.

A call for nominees went out earlier this year, which then were vetted into finalist groups and ultimately the winner for each category. Award details, nominees and winners are as follows:

Award #1: Advanced Manufacturing & Innovation

To recognize manufacturing success in adopting new technologies, processes, and/or innovations in one or more of the conference subject-matter topics.

Finalists: Kuhl Machine Shop, Industrial Fabrication, Factors Group, Maclean’s Engineering

Winner: Factors Group of Nutritional Companies

EMC’s new president, Jean-Pierre Giroux (left) with outgoing president Shawn Casemore. Photo © Will Mazgay, canadianmanufacturing.com

Award #2: Export Development and Growth, sponsored by EDC

To recognize sustained success in selling to unique markets and/or strong trade diversification that has led to growth nationally/globally.

Finalists: Pliteq, Samco Machinery, RS Technologies

Winner: Samco Machinery

Award #3: Operational Excellence

To recognize manufacturing enterprise excellence, through success in operations in one or more of the conference subject-matter topics.

Finalists: Lake Shore Gold Corporation, Canplas Industries, Maple Lodge Farms

Winner: Maple Lodge Farms

Award #4: Future State of Manufacturing

To recognize manufacturers who are leading the charge of future excellence, thought leadership and setting the standard for the success of the future of manufacturing in Canada.

Finalists: Siemens Canada, Hobart Food Equipment Group, Nelson Industrial Inc.

Winner: Siemens Canada

Award #5: Outstanding Manufacturer (1 to 49 Employees)

To recognize manufacturing excellence at private or public companies in various employee-size categories (small, with up-to 49 employees; medium, with 50 to 249; and large, with 250 or more).

Finalists: Organigram, Kuhl Machine Shop, Bio-Ag

Winner: Bio-Ag Consultants & Distributors

Innovative Automation won the Outstanding Manufacturer (50 to 249 employees) award. Photo © Will Mazgay, canadianmanufacturing.com

Award #6: Outstanding Manufacturer (50 to 249 Employees)

To recognize manufacturing excellence at private or public companies in various employee-size categories (small, with up-to 49 employees; medium, with 50 to 249; and large, with 250 or more).

Finalists: McCain Foods Canada (Lethbridge Alberta), Innovative Automation Inc., Weber Manufacturing

Winner: Innovative Automation Inc.

Award #7: Outstanding Manufacturer (250+ Employees)

To recognize manufacturing excellence at private or public companies in various employee-size categories (small, with up-to 49 employees; medium, with 50 to 249; and large, with 250 or more).

Finalists: McCain Foods Canada, Burnbrae Farms Ltd., Factors Group of Nutritional Companies

Winner: Factors Group of Nutritional Companies

Award #8: Skills Development and Training

To recognize excellence in employee/workforce development programs.

Finalists: Blommer Chocolate Canada, Canplas Industries, Jones Packaging

Winner: Canplas Industries

Scott McNeil-Smith, EMC. Photo © Will Mazgay, canadianmanufacturing.com

Award #9: Sustainability

To recognize manufacturing companies that while demonstrating success in business, are equally successful in using energy and resources more efficiently, ideally producing less waste, with a smaller carbon footprint.

Finalists: Greenfield Ethanol (Chatham), 3M Brockville

Winner: Greenfield Ethanol (Chatham)

Award #10: Outstanding EMC Member Contribution

To recognize member contributions to the enhancement of EMC members, exemplifying EMC’s motto of “Members sharing to optimize learning, expertise and resources, to achieve world-class.”

Finalists: Organigram, Lopes Limited, Digital Engineering

Winner: Organigram